Little Mountain Campus Pools Underway

Digging is underway at Churches of Christ Campus Little Mountain for a 25 metre swimming pool and a 7.5 metre learn-to-swim pool which will form part of the integrated community facilities.

The pool complex joins a 96 bed residential aged care service, community centre, café and hair salon being built since mid-2017 on the 8.38 hectare Parklands Boulevard site, set among landscaped surrounds complementing the Sunshine Coast environment.

The pools are heated and will host a range of aquatic activities for the community including learn-to-swim lessons from infants through to squad, membership based swimming as well as aqua aerobics and therapeutic hydrotherapy for residents.

There has been strong interest from a number of community groups to use them for structured swimming lessons and other activities, including from nearby Meridan State College.

There will be a Noise Management Plan and suitable acoustic protection around the pool area to ensure noise is minimised.

Executive Director Services Bryan Mason said extensive consultation with the local community about the future of Little Mountain Campus had taken place since Churches of Christ took site ownership.

“We are looking forward to welcoming residents and local community members from early 2019. We have an opportunity to create a genuine community featuring shared recreational facilities and opportunities to worship together.”

“This reflects our unique integrated community focus, which goes beyond mere co-location in being highly responsive to each community’s needs. This collaborative approach puts people first: overcoming practical or cultural challenges to share facilities and activities which results in uplift for all,” he said.

Decisions will be made closer to the Campus opening about future operating hours of the spaces and facilities that will be open to the public.

The six cottages on site have now been named, with titles reflecting popular local beaches: Dicky, Golden, Bulcock, Kings, Moffat and Shelly.

The aged care service will feature Churches of Christ Care’s cottage model, which is designed to improve the wellbeing of its residents.

“Our cottage model-of-care creates a warm, home-like environment, where residents have the care and support they need and the opportunity to participate in a range of activities.

“Lounge, dining and living areas, as well as easy access to outside spaces, encourages residents to relax and socialise with friends, family and other residents, while having quality care at hand.”

“Our Positive Wellbeing Model of Care takes a person-centred approach that focuses on bringing quality of life to an individual. This approach helps to inform the type of care and support we offer. It’s based on the five essential needs we have of finding comfort, identity, occupation, inclusion and attachment. It’s through this, we can truly begin to understand and focus on what is important to each person.”

“Our aim is to deliver a socially, financially and ecologically sustainable development with the Sunshine Coast community.”

To foster and develop the integrated community, a dedicated campus co-ordinator has been appointed. Churches of Christ will also be working closely with local health professionals to ensure a smooth transition for people into the aged care services.

In late 2018 a Residential Aged Care Service Manager will be recruited. In all, around 100 new jobs will be created for Little Mountain Campus. Jobs needed include qualified health professionals, registered nurses, personal care workers and hospitality staff. Anyone who is interested in a position should keep an eye on www.imagineyourcareer.com.au with opportunities to be listed closer to construction completion.

This ‘greenfield’ project has already stimulated the local economy, with close to 700 contractors engaged in the construction phase up to May 2018, with more required to finalise the first stage of development.

Continued population growth in Caloundra and the request for a community centre precinct in the Little Mountain and Meridan Plains area were driving forces behind this development.

With the $32 million stage one of the development currently underway, future stages are still in the planning process.

Future stages will be demand-driven and could incorporate retirement living homes which would enable retirees to access a range of support services.